Traction fire-engine.



No. 876.404. PATENTED (UN. 14, 1908.

W. H. SHAPER. TRACTION FIRE ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 22, 1906.

2 SHET-SHEET 1.

Wihussas, William H.$h xfer, Jm/enron N0. 876,fl04. PATENTED JAN.14,1908.

W. H. SHAPER. TRACTION FIRE ENGINE.-

APPLIGATION FILED AUG.22, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

,Qhfin Int/612ml. Q5 :5, CW,

valve stems 5:2. Any of the ordinz'uy earbureters, exploding devices,throttles or exhaust mutllers (not shown) may be used.

'liruekets 53 serve to carry the sections 5-l of suction hose and a lootboard 55 provided with a hand rail .l is supported on the rear ends ofthe drag bars [or convenience in carrying the liremen.

A friction clutch 57- controlled by means cl" a toot lever 55 serves todetachably engage an intermediate shaft 59 with the crank shaft. Theordinary variable speed, rcversing, and compensating gears are inclosedwithin a casing tit and actuated from shaft 59 by means of spur gears U2and hand lever 60 and they in turn transmit the power through thedrivinp shafts 63, bevel gears 64, sprocket ivheels c5 and the sprocketchain (56 to the sprocket wheels (37 which are secured on the respectivetraction Wheels and whereby the truck is self propelted.

In operation, the engines connected tonne of each pair of cranks arearranged to explode their charges successively during one turn ot'thecrank shalt and the engines connected With the other crank of each pairduring the next turn .ol. said shaft, the suc cessive explosion of thecharges in all of the engines is thus completed with every'two completeturns of the crank shaft. The force of each explosion is exerteddirectly on the corresponding plunger in forcing the Water from thepump. When the suction chamber is closed by means of the removable capor otherwise, the plungers drive the air from the suction and pulsationchambers and continue to reciprocate in a partial vacuum With little.t'ric'tion. By the engagement ot the crank shaft with the propellingmechanism by means ol the friction clutch the power of the engines areutilized for sell propelling purposes without discontinuing the actionof the plungers. Upon arriving at a tire the propelling mechanism may bedis connected from the crank shalt by means of the clutch and waterconnections made With the pumps quickly and without stopping theengines. ll y reason of the peculiar arrangement of these multiplesingle acting engine cylinders each in direct alincmeut with a singleacting pump cylinder, and the pistons of each engine and pump beingdirectly connected together, the greater force of the explosions are notonly exerted on the plungers when under l'ull load but, when the enginepistons are on their return strokes they carry no load except that ofthe slight friction of the pump plungers.-

The arrangement, of parts serves to maintam a mechanical balance,uuit'ornuty ot-aetion, and absence of vibration, and to protect suringgreater durability and less expense and interruption for repairs. Oneoperator only is needed and the weight and expense of a boiler and itsattendant may be dispensed with. A lull supply of fuel in the form ofhydro-carbon may he carried; there is no danger from sparks; the enginesmay be. started quickly and deliver full power at once and much time maybe saved in reaching and in delivering water at a tire alter thesounding ol the alarm.

Ila-vine," fully described my improvement, what I claim as my inventionand desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. The combination of a truck, multiple explosive engine thereon,propelling mechain ism for thetruck, means for detachably engaging theenginetherewith, a multiplex force pump in continuous engagement withthe engine, a radiator, a Water jacket for the engine, pipes incontinuous communication therewith from-the radiator, and valvecontrolled branch pipes leading therefrom to the pump.

tive engines and actuated therewith, propolling mechanism for the truck,means for detachably engaging the engines therewith. and means forsupplying the jacket with water from the pumps.

The combination of a multiple explosive engine provided with a waterjacket; and yieldingly supported on traction Wheels, a multiplex forcepump supported in alinement therewith and having its plungers connecteddirectly with tne pistons of the engine, a radiator, li ranchconnections leading from the pump respectively. thereto and to the waterjacket, propelling mechanism for the traction wheels, and means fordetachably engaging the engine thcrewit lif 4. The combination of amultiple explcsive engine supported on traction and pilot wheels, atmultiplex .t'orce pump secured in alinement thcreumler and provided witha water jacket, reciprocating rods connecting the pump plungers directlywith the respective pistons of the engine, a crank shaft,

connecting rods engaging therewith and ac-

